Kobe switches to thinner strap to hold his mask

og="http://opengraphprotocol.org/schema/" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Kobe Bryant's ongoing search to become the best masked man he can continued Wednesday night in Washington with another new approach.

Bryant stuck with one of his original Marc Fleckner masks that helped him to three consecutive games of at least 30 points despite a broken nose, but Bryant on Wednesday teamed that mask with a thinner, lighter strap that does not cover his ears and create as much pressure.

The thinner strap was part of one of the three new masks Bryant got Tuesday. He is still dealing with neck pain from a blow from Miami's Dwyane Wade in the All-Star Game.

Bryant tried new mean-looking but ill-fitted black mask for the first quarter of the Lakers' loss in Detroit on Tuesday night. That mask covered less of his face and had an even thinner strap that sat high above Bryant's ears.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.